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Colorado Springs police are advising the public to avoid drive-thru ATMs at night after a series of robberies this month by a pair of brazen robbers armed with guns and pepper spray.

"The suspects wait until their victims are stopped within the confined area of the drive-thru service area and then approach very aggressively," Colorado Springs police said Tuesday. "Citizens are advised to exercise extreme caution."

Police said the robbers are armed with handguns and pepper spray. They are described as being in their late teens, between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8, and thin.

There have been five robberies since July 5, and shots were fired during a 2 a.m. July 9 robbery at Taco Star, 605 n. Circle Drive, police said.

The other four robberies occurred at banking institutions, including at the same bank about two weeks apart. The robberies occurred at the following locations:

-- 10:05 p.m. July 5, Wells Fargo Bank, 9649 Prominent Point

-- 9:30 p.m. July 6, U.S. Bank, 1415 N. Academy Blvd.

-- 9:55 p.m. Friday, ENT Federal Credit Union, 3125 Jetwing Drive

-- 9:34 p.m. Saturday, U.S. Bank, 1415 N. Academy Blvd.

Police are advising the public to use automated teller machines inside an open business and avoid using them in the dark.

"If you must use one at night, drive around first and check for suspicious persons/cars and make sure someone knows where you are," police said. "If you see someone suspicious, leave the area immediately and call the police with a description."